'Wiegman analysis one of most important in career'

Former England midfielder Fran Kirby says manager Sarina Wiegman's analysis of the defeat by France is '"one of the most important ones in her career".

The Lionesses were beaten 2-1 in their Euro 2025 opener and became the first defending champions to lose their first match of the next tournament at a women's Euros.

Kirby retired from international football a month before the tournament after Wiegman told the 31-year-old Brighton midfielder she was not going to make the squad.

"It was very different to the Lionesses team I am used to playing in and watching," Kirby told BBC Radio 5 Live about Saturday's loss.

"There were too many errors, too many sloppy passes, defensively we looked shaky and disjointed. It was really tough to watch.

"We always do analysis after the game but I think this analysis probably has to be one of the most important ones of Sarina's managerial career."

Wiegman's former side, the Netherlands, beat Wales 3-0 in their opener and Kirby is acutely aware England have to make a vast improvement to progress from Group D.

"This is one of the most important analyst days that the Lionesses have had because we have to find out what has gone wrong, why it went wrong and make it better for the next game. The next game is must-win.

"You can always say basics weren't good enough, you can sit there and say these things, but we have to work on other things that are going to help us beat the Netherlands."

England face the Netherlands on Wednesday (17:00 BST, live on BBC One) when Wiegman will attempt to beat her home nation having led them to European success in 2017.

Captain Leah Williamson described England's errors in the France defeat as "some cheap sort of emotional defending".

Kirby said she liked Williamson's honesty and does not expect the review to be "fiery - but it has to be productive".

"Those quotes came out after the game. It was emotional losing the first game of the tournament and the players are coming off and they are emotional. I like the honesty," Kirby said.

"That is something that hasn't happened in the women's game for a long period so I don't mind that."

Keira Walsh's consolation goal in the 87th minute was England's first shot on target in a match that was comfortable for Les Bleues until the closing stages.

"There will be honest conversations in the meeting [on Sunday] to make sure it doesn't happen in the next game," added Kirby.

"That has to apply to everyone. Everyone could have done better. Everyone has to reflect on their performance as a collective because everyone has to improve."